?? as to paper -- newspaper clipping-- Catherine Hepler, the grand old lady so well and
favorably known was b. in Davis Co NC May 1, 1824 died at her home naer Yeddo Aug 24, 1912
age 88Y3M27D. She was united in marr. to Felix Bowers in her native state in 1847. To
this union was b 3 dau: Mrs. Delphia Myers (dec. wife of Eli); Mrs. Mary Zackmire wife of
John and Mrs. Thomas Zackmire wife of Thomas Zackmire (sic) all of Ft. Co. She emigrated
with her husband to Ft. Co in in 1859. She became a member of the Lutheran church at the
age of 16 and lived an exemplary Christian life until her death which was caused by a
fall, breaking one of the femur bones. Dec. was truly a great and noble lady, if nobility
and greatness is measured by kind, deeds paticence, unselfishness, humility, generosity,
courtesy and sincerity; for I will say without fear of contradiction that this noble lady
possessed all of these vitures. I have written many death accounts and obituaries but in
summing the qualities of these scores of people I find none in my opinion that deserve
greater praise than this noble woman, whom it seems was almost faultless. Aunt Kate never
sought notority but was contented to live an humble patient Christian life, whose ever
thought was for the good of humanity; she was never wrought for her own personal welfare,
but through generosity she was always known to almost exceed her duty. We need not
attedmpt to eulogize her life or character because all who knew her know that my eulogy
would fall short of her merit. While Aunt Kate is gone her kind deeds and precious
memories remain. If our lives are influenced by those with whom we associate and meet,
then the subject of this sketch has wrought a positive and permanent good in the tide of
human existence. Those who like the deceased could conscientiously face the world
throughout their lives need not fear to meet their Pilot face to face "When they have
crossed the bar." Our prayer i s that this ideal life may be an inspiration to all,
that they may emulate it with a full assurance of a just reward. She leaves an aged and
worthy husband; two daughters, 14 grandchildren, 22 gr. grandch; one sister and one aged
brother, uncle Dave Hepler aged 92 together with a host of relatives & friends to
mourn her departure, which has deprived them of a loving mother, sister and wife and
gradnmother and the community of a true friend. Funeral services were rendered at
Wallace Lutheran church, conducted by Rev. Hunt after which the remains were interred in
the cemetery adjoining, to await the ressurection of the just. We tender the bereaved
family our sincere & heartfelt sorrow in this sad event. C.T.
----
Card of Thanks - we take this method of thanking our neighbors & friends for their
kind assistance that they so willingly rendered in the recent illness and death of our
wife, mother & grandmother. May the blessings of God rest upon all of them is our
prayer. Felix Bowers, children & grandchildren.
=====
Taken from Fountain County Obituaries 1896 -1922 found at Crawfordsville Public Library,
Local History Room Jan 2003
Mary C. w/o Felix Bowers, d. at the home near Wallace Wed. after a longillness caused by
an injured hip, which was sustained during an icy time last winter. Dec. was b. in NC May
1, 1824 being 88 years 3 months and 27 days old when the death called. She was the mother
of 3 children, two girls and one boy the latter having prec. her to the better land. Fun.
serv. were conducted by Rev. Hunt from the Lutheran church near Wallace yesterday,
interment following in the cemetery nearby. Handwritten d. 28 Aug 1912